Cigar-banding machine.



E. A HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

q APPLICATION FKLED DEC- E0, 1917- q) T ia-tentedi Jane 21, 1919.

10 SHEETSSHEET i.

SI 111m 1 How \Qdw a a gfw l. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man 050.10.19n.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

10 SHEET$-$HEET 2.

I. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10. 1912.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

I 0 SHEETSSHEET 3.

l. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-10. 1917.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

IO SHEETS-SHEET 4.

3141x111 oz I. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 050.10, 19:1.

Patented Jan. 21,1919.

I0 SHEETS- SHEET 5- l. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE. APPLIQATION FlLED' Dec. 10,1911.

Patented Jan. 21,1919.

I0 SHEETSSHEET 6- gvvuewroz I. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I0. 1917.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

llll III I. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE. 7 APPLICATION FILED DEC-10.19I7.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

3mm l a. M

v ammo I. A. HARDY.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 020.10, 191;.

t 0 1 w 1 1 t Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET 9'.

I. 'A. HARDY:

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE- APPLICATION FILED DEC-10,1917.

Patented J an. 21, 1919.

I0.SHEETSSHEET 10.

ISAAC A. HARDY, 0F EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

CIGAR-SANDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21., 1919.

Application filed December 10, 1917. Serial No. 206,437.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC A. HARDY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Evansville, county of Vanderburg, and State of Indiana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Banding Machines,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cigar banding machines.

In machines of the class to which my invention relates difiiculty hasheretofore been experienced in applying the band or label around thecigar without crushing or abrading the wrapper of the latter and in sofeedmg the cigars to the banding mechanism that they will be handed, oneat a time, without likelihood of choking or clogging the operative partsof the machine. It is impossible to make a large number of cigars ofprecisely the same dimensions although they may approximate thosedimensions. In machines heretofore known to the art the bandingmechanism has not, so far as I am aware, been adapted to automaticallycompensate for the slight irregularities or differences in shape ordimensions of the cigars, resulting in either the imperfect applicationof the band, in some instances, or the damaging of the cigars bycrushing them or ahrading their wrappers, in other instances.

My object is to provide a cigar banding machine which will automaticallyfeed the bands, one at a time, from a hopper to a carrier, position themin pockets or holders, retain them in the holders by vacuum, feed thecigars, one at a time, to the pockets or holders containing the bands,automatically fasten or lay the free ends of the bands around the cigarin overlapped relation, and finally discharge the banded-cigars from thecarrier. The bands may be of the gummed variety and moistened byimproved means,

or, they may be devoid of adhesive, and an adhesive-applying means ofimproved form the application of the adhesive In connection with myimprovements 1. provide mechanical operating devices whereby the partsare so timed that they coordinate tq'eiiect the sequence of operations,beginning with the initial feeding of a band to a holder of the cigarcarrier and ending with the discharge of the completely banded cigar. Tothat end, I provide cams, levers,

cranks, locking devices, and other instrumentalities, which, Whilepeculiarly adapted to cause the timing and coordination of the partsasaforesaid, are susceptible of modification and I do not limit myselfto the precise form, construction and arrangement of these mechanicaloperating devices, except Where specified in the claims.

The band-holding hopper and. feeder of my invention embodies novel meansfor taking off a band from th stack and holding the balance of the stackin such manner that there will be no interference with the take-oil of asingle band therefrom. There is a takeoff slide having ahump or ridgeand whose face is subject to vacuum so that the lowermost band of thestack adheres thereto and is so arranged that a spaceis created belowthe stack. As the slide advances to deliver the band, novelstack-supporting means enters the space and supports the balance of thestack, said means being so coordinated with the slide that there is nointerference betweenthem. The band is delivered to a pair of rollerswhich feed it forward, on the retraction of the take-oil slide, thevacuum having been. released. A clamping device then grasps the rear endof the band.

The cigar carrier, which is shown in the form of a rotary wheel or drum,is timed and operated for a step-by-step movement, bein first positionedso that a pocket or holdenwi I be brought into position for the bandtobe pressed into said pocket, immediately after said band has beendelivered by the slide. A suitably timed pressing device then acts toforce the band into the pocket or holder. The pocket or holder issubject to vacuum and the band is thus held therein. On the next advancemovement of the cigar carrier, the pocket or holder which has previouslyreceived a band, is brought into position to receive a cigar.

The cigar feeder comprises a hopper or trough having a step-by-steptraveling apron at its bottom on which the cigars rest. Improvedmechanism causes the apron to advance with a step-by-step motion, therebeing a gate or cut-off which lets through only a single layer of cigarsfrom the hopper as they approach the point where they are to bedelivered to the cigar carrier. The feeding device'insures the deliveryof but a single cigar to the pocket of the cigar carrier which has thehand. To insure the proper positioning of the cigar against the band inthe pocket, a' presser 'g entlyyetfirmly' presses e cigarinto'thepocket.

After the b'and"ha's' been pressed into a pocket of the "cigar carrier,and'before the cigar'carrier has'advanced to cigar-receiving position,an improved moistener acts on the I advance end ofthe band. If the bandnot wrapping mechar'usm.

a. gamma one, ther'e 'will be substituted'an adhesive app lying devicefor the moistener hereinafter shown I and described." Qonsequentlytheband which is held in the pocket of the cigar carrier by a vacuum actingthereon, is both positioned and conditioned to be wrapped around thecigar by the novel The-object o'f' band wrapping mechanism is to firstpress the rear end'of the'band down on and around the cigar and toholdfurther 'step-by-step movement of the car-' rier,'the banded cigaris brought to a point where it is to be discharged, whereupon thefollower and holder releases the cigar and the latter falls out onto'aconveyer which takes it'ofif.

The Wrapping and tucking or finishing devices are arranged to yieldagainst spring pressure so that they cannot injure the cigar.

Heretofore great difliculty has been experienced in that part of acigar-banding machine which actually folds or wraps the ends of theband. My improvements provide for a light, yet sufficient, pressure ofthe wrapping device, Without permit-ting it to dig into the cigar. Bythe use of a wrapping device which comprises an initially acting memberthat forces the hand down on and around the cigar, and a secondary wraping device which acts thereafter to finish the wrapping action, Iprevent injury to the cigar and insure tight and even application of theband thereto. The moistened or gummed end of the band isthen presseddown, as the wrapping and tucking devices retreat, by the follower andholder.

Other features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention being susceptible to modifications in various respectswithout departing from its essential principles, the disclosurehereinafter given is to be considered illustrative, rather thanrestrictive, of the scope of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation, themoistening pan being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section; ig. '3' is a" side"elevation oppositeto Fig. '4: is an enlarged detail section, showing thesuccessive stepsof feeding a positioning it for pressing into a pocket, and placing acigar onthe band, in thepocket, prior to the actual. folding "orwrapping operation. 'Fig. 5, a detail plan view of the band hopper andadjacent mechanism, the stack I of bands being shown in dottedline's.

"Fig. 6 is a View like but showing the manner in which the band ispressed into its" pocket and moistened, and the initial operation of thewrapping mechanism.

"Fig. 7 'is a detail 'view' of'the device for gripping therear end ofthe bandwhen it is being forced into the. pocket.

Y Fig. 8, a detail side elevation of aportion of the band hopper showingmechanismfor lifting the stack'of bands."

Fig. 9, an enlarged detail view showing the operation of themech'a'nismsduring the actual banding of the cigar.

Fig. 10 is a detail front view of one of the followers and holders.

Fig. 11, a longitudinal section thereh g e Fig. 12, a detail viewshowing the manner in which the cigar is held and is released, afterbanding.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail vertical section through the cigar holdingdrum or carrier and the vacuum chest.

Fig. 14 is a front view of the vacuum chest. i a

Fig. 15, a plan View thereof.

' Fig. 16, an enlarged detail view showing the operation of the cigarfeeder and cut-off, and the cigar presser.

Fig. 17, a detail plan view of the cigar feeder and cut-off.

Fig. 18, a detail front elevation of the cigar chute.

Fig. 19, a detail plan View, partly in section, showing the cigarcarrier locking device.

Fig. 20, a detail front elevation of the band folding or wrappingmechanism.

Fig. 21, a sideelevation thereof.

Fig. 22, a detail view of the lifting finger of the band wrappingdevice.

Fig. 23, a detail side elevation of the moistening device, shown inraised position, dotted lines illustrating its action.

Fig. 24, a detail of the operating mecha-. nism therefor; and

Fig. 25, a detail view of the operating means for the followers andcigar retainers.

are timed by the countershaft 3, the latter being connected by asprocket chain 4 to the shaft 2. The c ar carrier or drum 5 is securedto a shaft and is turned with a stepby-step movement from shaft 2 by aGeneva stop movement comprising the wrist wheel 7 on shaft 2 and thestop wheel 8 on shaft 6. The cigar carrier is turned one step duringeach rotation of the shaft 2. To lock the cigar carrier in its differentpositions, as it turns in a step-by-step manner, there is provided aspring actuated latch 9 which is adapted to enter the intendental spacesbetween the teeth of the stop wheel and is provided with an arm 10 whichhas a roller arranged to be engaged by a cam 11 on the wrist wheel 7 forthe purpose of retracting the locking device just prior to theengagement of the wrist pin 12 with the stop wheel 8. V

The hopper 13, which contains the cigars to be banded, has an endlessapron 14 running across its bottom, lengthwise thereof, around drums 15and 16. The drum 15 carries a ratchet wheel 17 with which cotiperatesthe pawl of a rockable lever 18. The lever 18 is connected to a rocker19 by a rod 20; rocker 19 is operated from the shaft 2 by rod 21 andeccentric 22. Each rotation of the shaft 2 causes a slight advance ofthe apron 14. A spring actuated idler drum 23 takes up the slack in theiower stretch of the apron 14.

A rocking gate 24 which is operatively connected to the rocker 19 by acrank and link 25,1is adapted to hold back the layers of cigars in thehopper and to allow only the lower layer to advance to the deliverychute 26 down which the cigars pass for delivery, one at a time, to thecigar carrier or drum.

At the bottom of the chute 26 is a rockahly mounted gate 27, Figs. 2, 4,6, 16 and 17, which supports a few of the cigars and, when rocked.allows the lowermost cigar to fall by gravity in a horizontal positioninto one of the pockets of the cigar carrier. When the gate 27 turns toallow the cigar to fall into the pocket in the carrier, the curvedcut-ofi" fingers 28 support the remaining cigars in the chute, as shownin Fig.

16. Qn return of the gate to the normal position of Figs. 4 and 6, thecurved fingers 28 are withdrawn from the chute and the gate supports thecigars. The end of the chute is provided with downwardly extends ingfingers 29, Fig. 18, which, in connection with thefingers on the gate27, insure that the cigar is directed to the pocket in the carrier, asshown in Fig. 16. The gate 27 is periodically operated by the meansshown in detail in Fig. 16 comprising a cam 30 on counter-shaft 3, aslidable pusher rod 31 having a roller cooperating with the cam,

a spring 32 which keeps the roller in engagement with the cam, and alink 33 con necting the rod 31 to a crank 34 on the gate 27.

To insure the pressing down of the cigar into the pocket in the carrieror drum, there is provided a presser finger 35, Figs. 6, 16, which iscarried by a rock shaft 36 having a crank 37 provided with a pin 38received in a fork 39 of a lever 40 pivoted at 41 and pulled by a spring42 to keep the finger 35 normally raised. A cam 43 on countershaft 3tucks against the other end of the lever 41 after the cigar has falleninto the pocket in the carrier, and thereby presses the finger 35 downon the cigar, as shown in the position represented in Fig. 4.

The cigar carrier 5 is provided with a plurality ofcigar receivingpockets 44 which are spaced at equal distances apart around theperiphery thereof. Leading to each pocket is a port 45, Figs. 6 and 13,all of the ports opening into an annular channel 46. Located on theshaft 6 is a bracket 47 which may be suitably secured so that it will bestationary; it could be connected to the frame 1. Carried by thisbracket is an arc-shaped shoe 48 which is received in the channel 46 andis held yieldingly thereagainst by springs 49; screws 50 support theshoe from the bracket 47. The shoe has an arc-shaped channel 51 in itsface which is. adapted to simultaneously communicate with two of theports 45. A pipe 52 connected to the shoe 48, communicates with thechannel 51 and constitutes means whereby vacuum may be provided in theports 45. The ports 45 mav have as many outlets or mouths, leading tothe pockets 44, as desired to suitably hold the cigar band 53 in saidpockets, once said band has been located there, as shown, for instance,in Fig. 6. After the cigar has been banded, the vacuum is broken by thepassage of the port 45 away from the infiuence of the channel 51 as thecigar is held by the follower and holder thereafter.

Preferably, the carrier 5 is provided with a supplemental ring 5 havingnotches 5 to receive the cigar so that the latter will be supported attwo points as shown in Fig. 13. The ring 5 is connected to the carrier 5in any suitable manner as, for instance, by

bolts 54.

The carrier 5 is provided with slots 55 which communicate with the sidesof the pockets 44. The followers and holders 56 are normally located inthe slots 55, in retracted or retreated position, as shown in Fig. 6, asthey are not advanced until the cigar has been placed in the pocket 44and the rear end of the band 53 has been folded down, held, and tucked.Thereafter the follower 56 is made to advance as shown, for instance, inthe two positions at the left of Fig. 9. The follower remains in thelast Posit on at th l f Figaft r h ar hasbe'eri completely handed;holding the lig in' th 'po fk t & 'th a ri r nsiime the next to the lastle ft' hand positien ii Fi h oll r i i f he P struction shownin' Fig;10, being provided with a roller 57 which is of sliflicieiit width tooper- 1y c otipe rate "with th band 53.

'* Theifollo'wer is pivotally mounted hi1 a belt 58 and is pressed by aspring 5 9 Coiled around the bolt 58, the actidn Of the spring beihgsuch that the roller '57 is held against the inner margin bf the slotand is pressed, iii a dii'eetion which will cause the roller to i i: dii'i p iii g iiiin i d i qi i n ii br advance, end Of the baIid 53,alsshown' the tw' left'hamh ositio is of Fig. The ip i g al hold i' i oi n he pocket $4 5130 fetain the cigar in the pdcket tuitil it reachesthe lower position in Fig. 12. The Olts 58 are carried by hell'e ran klevers fiQ pivbted to the Carrier'a't 61 andtp' rqvided t o l whi h tr v01 a am 63, th l tt r be n s cu t the frame Th iOllei's run on'the'lowpart of the cam except m t point W e t ar i omp tely handed to theneXt'to the lowest position at the left of Fig l2; they travel onthe'high or dwelf'pbirtion' of' the cam from the point where e cigar is;banded td here it. is about t'o be released; as" be clear frqni Figs. 9and 12. The cain'dbeshotfhowever, ea'use' operation of the bellcrank'lever to efi'e'ct the'fold ing dqwnef thegummed and n d, -id' i i d, dtime bin .53 Each b'ell crank lever 60 is actuated a coil p iiiii hihhiiii h 'r011 15 i i the cam an'd'causes the follower 56t0 retreat ihtoitsslot 5'5 wvhen the roller 62 passes onto the lbw of the Games;

i The followers are Ihade to advance from t e r lot 55 y pdsi ly a ti gm an u as shown in Figs. 9' and 25 On the shaft'2 1s a cam' 65which-operates a pusher rod 66, 'slidable in a sleeve 57 sec'iire'd t0the frame 1 by a bracket 68 andretracted by .a spring 69 o' 'p th ler 70i n nt wit the cam 6 "T e u he r 6 ha p fo t 1 which is arrange toengage the 10116162 of that one bfthe'bell 'c'la'nk levers 60which cigahas beeii' drepped, so that after'the rear end ofthe band '53 h'as b'een'folded down and m end f th B fl i a h i n in th se ond position theleft of F135. 9.

suiiibly iiiiiiiwi h mi b a ward by the foller 99, in the ma n' b a ket72 a u ri ht hand h p r 73 which the bands 7415113" arranged' in aStack,

,hll a .76 'd' ha P t 7 l id pg t 70 it pp fa hru h' nippl 8 i flex bluib 79, he ,h dw n tr r ,6 i Su j t lw 'ium r m any u table dnrd Thefeeder 75 is prejvidefd' with a short rack -1 i r tre d by'i sp i 8 Ashit 82 d ie gear S m t ap d t m sh with the rack 80t0' advah ce theQfeedei' ZS. When the segment 83 disengages from the rack 80,"the sp'rifig 81 snaps the feeder 75 ck i th nQ Iii%l*P ti- 1 W11 'F 4- Theshaft 82 is provided with agea'i 84 which meshes with the 'gear 85 onthe @1 1 ter shaft 3. The feeder 75 has a hump 8 6 which causes thelo'wifln ost band. 53th as? m e th .f rm'h wn n Fig a d l n e l h a lwmic i g hrq lgh' po ts fi 'dmwn l the end ns of M e d a ay f o the r maiiban s o Hi iii'ik 74:, thus providing; a space 87, which is eviitl i ea'd inh fi h by i i l lie deserib'ed; lhe vacuum ca' iise s' the hand. toadhere to the feeder 75 s0 that it cah be a i iiii befit mbf h s i'ii wthcl t pulling 'othei hands with it." Tb elevate" the ii i n i h ii k 4-th re is "pii ii i pi eii ir whi h s Pfe i by 7 5 advaneesl The fingers96 are so arranged that the rocking" ofthe rockers 92, 193 pre- 1111vents the fingers from i tefferi g with the hptinp 86. A spring 97eoiiperating witha pin on the rocket Q3ke'eps-th'ein normally re re teTh' e ar dv nc d t pi tion the fingers 96 'in'the space 87' by thec'eiiperatioh'bf a cani '98 the rocket 93, Sa d m "be g ba r by t s ft 3i The fedetfifldeliYrs the hand :53 to a. pair of feed rollers 99; 01 tofeed relief; Figs. 4 and e. lThe feed 'ollerbr i olli's eehtinue'td feedit on the i'etrattibh df fihe feeder slide 75. feed' olle'f99' iscai'ri'ed' y i ii o whi h'h e r 'lflls sme h n by ii i ea 'io ywiih-iiii gear 1 0 3on theshaft 82. Y Tb holdtherg i end ofthebandasalfter ith sem iii- F mpir i piqv e "i i ipiii l f lQ htwn iii Fi i riiiiiiii 129grasp the adtance end Of the band 53am 1 lever being pivoted at 105 andhaving an arm 106 which is adapted to press the end of the band down onthe plate 107, Fig. 6. The lever 104 is released by a spring 108 and isactuated by a cam 109 on the shaft 82, the cam being set and timed toact only after the band 53 has been fed forward by the roller 99completely across the mouth of the pocket 44. The clamping lever 104 isprovided to insure against the release of the band by the roller 99before the band has been pressed into the pocket 44. The lever 104insures that the rear end of the band be tightly held to enable the freepart of the band, bridging the pocket 44, to be pressed down into thepocket.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, there is shown at 110, pivoted to theframe 1, a lever 111 which is adapted to be operated by a earn 112 onthe shaft 3. Pivoted at 113 to the other end of said lever is an arm 114which is pressed by a spring 115, anchored at 116. The spring holds thearm 114 against a lug 117 on the lever 111. The arm 114 carries a stud118 on which is journaled a presser roller 119 which is preferably ofrubber. A spring 120 holds the lever 111 normally in the position shownin Fig. 4. The cam 112 is so timed that after the band 53 has been fedacross the mouth of the pocket 44 and the arm 106 has clamped the rearend of the band against the plate 107, said cam 112 will cause theroller 119 to be pressed down, forcing the band 53 into the pocket 44and against the wall thereof. The port 45 is at that time subject tovacuum and consequently the band will be retained by the vacuum in saidpocket, as shown in Fig. 6. Further rotation of cam 112 permits spring120 to elevate roller 119 to the position shown in Fig. 4.

Reference being had to Figs. 1, 23 and 24, there is a pan or reservoir121, suitably carried by the frame 1, which may contain either water ora fluid adhesive, according to whether the bands in the stack 74 aregummed and only need to be moistened, or, require the application of anadhesive. A bracket 122 secured to frame 1 serves as a bearing for aband Wheel 123 to whose shaft 124 is connected a ratchet wheel 125. Abell crank 126 is pivoted at 127 to the bracket 122 and carries on oneof its arms a pawl 128 which is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 125.At the end of the other arm of the bell crank is a grooved foot 129. Anendless tape or band 130 passes around the pulley 123 and foot 129 andother idler pulleys 131, 132. A lever 133 pivoted at 134, is connectedby link 135 to the bell crank 126 and is operated by a cam 136 on theshaft 2, a spring 137 holding the lever against the cam.

The cam 136 is so timed that it causes the bell crank 126 to operatewith, or immeis moistened substantially simultaneously with the pressingof the band into the pocket. On the descent of the foot 129 to moistenthe band 53, the ratchet 128 drags back over the ratchet wheel 123 sothat on the elevation of the foot 129, the tape 130 will be shiftedslightly to bring a fresh moistened. part thereof under the foot 129 forapplication to a succeeding band 53.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4, 6, 9, 20, 21 and 22 in connection with thenovel means for folding, holding, and tucking the hand, there is a shaft138, to the outer end of which is secured an arm 139 which is operatedby a slidable rod 140 having a roller 141 cotiperating with the cam 142on shaft 3. A spring 143 retracts the arm 139 and turns the shaft 138backwardly. Loose on the shaft 138 is an arm 144 which carries thefolder and holder 145. Secured to the shaft 138 and located alongsidethe arm 144 is an arm 146 which carries the tucker 147. A slot-and-pinconnection 148 enables the arms 144 and 146 to have relative movement.which permits the arm 146 to advance after the arrest of the arm 144 sothat the tucker 147 will slide along the top of the folder and holder145and move beyond it, as shown in Fig. 9. Thus, the folder and holder 145,having entered the pocket 44 and engaged the rear end of the band 53 andpressed it down on the cigar, holds the band against the cigar while thetucker 147 continues to advan e with the continued turning of the shaft138, enabling the tucker to complete the folding or wrapping of the rearend of the band 53. To arrest the arm 144 there is provided anadjustable screw 149 which is carried by the frame 1. A. spring 150connects the arm 144 to a bracket 151 -on the arm 146, said springdrawing the arm 144 forward to bring the end of the slot against the pinat 148. The two arms 144 and 146 move as a unit to a point beyond theposition shown in Fig. 6. and until the holder and folder 145 haspressed the band 53 down on the cigar and is holding it thereagainst.The arm 144 then engages the screw 149 and the continued turning of theshaft 138 causes the arm 146 to continue its advance so that the tucker147 slides along the top of the holder 145 and tucks down the end of theband 53. The tucker 147 is pressed down on the holder 145 by a spring152 which also presses the holder 145 down so that the latter is alsounder spring pressure. To elevate the holder 145 and with it the tucker147 when they 7 are pn' their 7 return mo velnent, there is providedadog 153 whose head has a pin .1 4, Whi und rl es e hold 4 a d whQse t iadapted 9 e ga e a s 1 shown :-.Q .10 t n n; 4 a 6mm.- jecting remtheifi'ame 1. The engagement of the tail o f the dog 153 is shewn inFig.

4,;thi s heing the normal position of the hold'er and tucker.

1on5 The aeuiim feeder 75 G n ra 'p a a, is 7 draws the. lowermost band53 down from the stack and causes ,it to conform tothe upper surface ofthe feeder, as shown' in Fig. 4. ,The elevation of the pin 90 froni theipositio i shown. in F 4 cau e the stack 74 ofbands to beelevated, thuswidening the, space 87. The rockers 92,. 93 now no in e fe n e w th umpenter the space 87 vand support the stack 1 74 asthe feeder 75 advancesfrom the positionshown in Fig. 4 to that ofFig, 6 and farther to theleft,- The path of movement of the finger 96 ofi'ocker 92 is the same asthe: feeder 75 and consequently there is I v V v The forward end ofthe.,; band), having, reached the f eedroller, 99, the lattercontinuesto ad- Vance the band, the feeder 7 5 meanwhile befl napp d 'aby P in- The e muer 9. a va es h vm5 53 a r s the mon h o hePQCk' tM hieo i pqsi n qb ubie tw b a u ma vence of, the band 53 continues until thefinger'1Q6, through the operation of the cam 1.0.9, is brought downontherea'r end of the hand to el -i b it against the plate 107.Itinatters nptwhethe'r at this time the rear end of the band is engagedJ by the roller"99 as t, v g s n y held y t fi er; 0,6, s shown ,in Fig.6, Thecam 112 110: causes the roller 119 to press the band 53 down intothe pocket 44 and the vacuuni exercised th f l gh port '45 then causesthe band to c0nfi) rm to the pecket, The bandjsheld 1 a byv the vacuumuntil the cigar 156 is inserted the pocketand, indeed, until the cigarhas been cemplete'ly handed. and re "oved from banding fposition Atabout the time the. rollerl 119 in esses the band into the p'ecket 44,the foot 129 comes down and -i ss s; e 130 ag n tt efi r ward end of theand, the latter. being bafikd qi reby the edg h c as shown in Figs.6523, Theturning 0f, the

canis 112 ;and. 136 cause the, elevation of, the 6 rbl et 1 an o 1 9.?Th 11 1 8 m hn sm-s ow l n igal a holds th a r 5 J g a while t e,aioresaid parts are per-v ms" t e r 11 6 49 15 en i carrier 1, a e r stof. the w i -f e Thwext step, ini l o fi io of thefii i '5i b n he-Po kt fl-i tep i fl Wh r i ars-5s can h ll we M h e imp 1111 1 .1 t name oth g .27 bya he action of the cam 30, Fig. 16. The presserlinger 35 thenfollews dOWn and presses the reaches the position shown in Fig. 9 whereit is arrested, by the engagement of the screw 149 with the arm 144. Theband is thus held firmly onthe cigar with theend of, the band protrudingbeyond the holder.

The continued turnin of. the shaft 138' causes the arm 146 to, continueto advance, causmgvthe tucker 147.. to slide along the t p of, theholder 145 and tuck or fold-down the extreme end of the hand againstthe: V

'cigar. The cotiperation of the folder and holder 145 and the tucker147, prevents damage to the cigar and also the curling 7 up of the rearend of the band 53.. At this polnt thej pusher foot 71 engages theroller 62 on the bell crank lever 60 and the follower 56. is niadetoadvance'toward the tucker 147, the roller 57 rolling down the forward,moistened, end of the band 153.

This movement continues as fast as (the holder-145 and tucker 4147retreat, which they-then proceed; to d whereupon the moistened end ofthe band is wrapped down upon-the folded, or inner, endzthe'reof and theband is completed around the ciar. The follower 56, after efleoting thenal folding of the band, as shewnin Fig. 9, remains in ien'ga'gementwith the folded ends, caus ngthem to roperly adhere and the pocket hWhen the pocket finally reaches the lowermost,position, as {shown in E1g12, the sprin' .64 retractsthe' folder 56 a d the cigar reps out ontoany suitable conveyer 157 which takes it ofi.

Wha is himedi s; 1 In &. ciia'r band'ngmachine,the combinatnon wit acigai cairier ada ted-fora ste by 'sten moveme'nt and hav ng a plurelaxof holders for bands and cigars, means for, holding?i e v H a andtucking, an end of th n 11 3 older w en. it ea e a g ven p omt' of theste'p bystep movement aforesaid', comprisinggai folder and holder wh chinltiallylays and hold s end of the band, and I a tuckerfwhich act's"after the f elder to tuck: down the projecting held end ofthebandn A v fI In. a .qi l ben i'gima ne min binatlon wlt a cigar carrier adapted fora preventing the cigar rom falling out ,of

iii;

step by step movement and havin' a plutucks down the held end of theband, of a rahty of holders for bands an cigars, separately mountedfolder and follower means for holding and tuckmg an end. of which laysdown the other end of the band.

the band in each holder when it reaches a 5 given point of the step bystep movement aforesaid, comprising a folder and holder which initiallylays and holds an end of the band, a tucker which acts after the folderto tuck down the projecting held end of the band, and a follower whichadvances ina direction posite to that of the folder and tucker an laysthe other end of the band on top of the folded and tucked end thereof asthe tucker retreats,

3. In a cigar banding machine, means for banding a cigar, comprising amovable folder and holder, a movable tucker, and means for causin saidfolder and tucker to move as a unit during part of their travel and,also, independently of each other during another part of their travel.

4. In a cigar banding machine, means for handing a cigar comprising amovable-folder and holder, a movable tucker, and means for causing saidtucker to advance beyond the folder and holder for the purpose oftucking down the end of the cigar band which is held by said folder andholder,

5. In a cigar banding machine, means for 30 banding a cigar comprising amovable folder and holder, a movable tucker, and means for causing saidtucker to move in the same direction as the folder and holder and toslide over the folder and holder after the arrest of the latter, for thepurpose of tucking down the end of the cigar band which is held by saidfolder and holder 6. In a cigar banding machine, means for banding acigar, comprising a movable folder and holder, a movable tucker, andmeans for causing said folder and tucker to move to and fro as a unit,during a part of their travel and said tucker to move after the arrestof the folder and holder for the purpose of tucking down the end of thecigar band which is held by said folder and holder, said means causingthe tucker to retreat before the folder and holder retreats.

7. In a cigar banding machine, means for banding a cigar, comprising amovable folder and holder, a movable tucker provided with spring meansfor pressing it down on the folder and holder, and means for causingsaid tucker to move in the same direction as the folder and holder andto slide upon and hold down thefolder and holder and to advance beyondthe latter for the purpose of tucking down the end of the cigar bandwhich is held by said folder and holder.

8. In a cigar banding machine, the combination with means for holdingand tucking an end of the band, comprising a folder and holder whichlays and holds an end of the band, a separately mounted tucker which 9.In a cigar banding machine, the combination with means for holding andtucking an end of the band, comprising a folder and holder' which laysand holds an end of the band,'an'd a tucker mounted'separately from thefolder, which tucks down the held end of the band, of a folder andfollower which lays down the other end of the band and advances tocomplete the'overlapping of the said end on the tucked end of the bandas the tucker retreats.

10, In a cigar banding machine, means for holding and tucking an end ofthe band, comprising a folder and holder and a tucker, the tucker beingmounted separately from the folder and adapted to operate over thefolder and holder, and means adapting the folder and holder to first layand hold an end of the band on a cigar and to cause the tucker to movebeyond the holder and folder to tuck down'the held end of theband.

11. In a cigar banding machine, means for holding and tucking an end ofthe band, comprising a folder and holder and a tucker, the tucker beingadapted to operate over the folder and holder, and means adapting thefolder and holder to first move to lay and hold an end of the band on acigar and to cause the tucker to afterward move beyond the holderand-folder to tuck down the held end of the band, saidholder and tuckerbeing adapted to move as a unit when moving toward, or away from,holding and tucking position. I

12. In a cigar banding machine, the combination with means for holdingand tucking an end of the band, comprising a folder and holder whichholds an end of the band, and a tucker which tucks down theheld endofthe band, of a follower adapted to fold down the other end of the band,and mechanism timed to cause the folder and holder and the tucker toadvance together in one direction, the folder and holder to engage, folddown, and hold an end of the band, the tucker then to still furtheradvance and tuck down the held end of the band, the tucker to retreat,

and the follower to advance in the opposite direction to fold down theother end of the band as fast as the tucker retreats, and the folder andholder then to retreat, withthe tucker. from folding and tuckingposition.

13. In a cigar banding machine, the com bination with a cigar carrierhaving a. step by step movement and a plurality of holders forbands and,cigars, of means for positively introducing a band in bent or archedcondition in a holder when the holder is in one position, vacuum meansfor holding the band in that condition in the holder while the carrieradvances to position the holder for the reception of a cigar,- and meansfor securing the ends of the' band around the cigar after the latter hasbeen placed in the holder and the carrier has advanced to bandingposition. 4 Y

U 14:, In a cigar banding machine, the combination with a.-cigarcarrierhaving astep by step movement and a plurality of holders forbands and cigars, of means for p sitively introducing a band in-bent orarched condition in a holder when the holder is in one position, vacuummeans for-holding the band in that condition in the holder while thecarrier advances to position the holder forv the.

' reception of a cigar, means for conditioning the band so that it willadhere when the cigar isbanded, and means for folding the endsof theband around the cigar after the latter has been placed in theholder whenthe carrier is in banding position. v 15. In a cigar banding machine,the combination with a cigar carrier having a step by step movement anda plurality of holders for bands and cigars, of means for positiv ly iintroducing a band in bent or arched con 1 tion in a holder when theholder is in one position, vacuum means for holding the band in thatcondition in the holder while the ,carrier'advances to position theholder 9 for the reception of a cigar, means forclamping'or holding anend of the band when'the latter is being positively introduced in theholder, and means for applying the ends of the band around the cigarafter the latter 5 has been placed in the holder at an advance positionof said holder.

, 16. In a cigar banding'machine, the combination with aficarrieradapted to move step by step whichis provided with a plus rahty ofholders for. bands and cigars and ,has va'cuum.means for'retaining thebands in the holdersfwhen said bands are placed therein, ofmean'sjacting when the holder is in one position,v for positivelyforcing or pressing the bands into the holders to position them so thatthey will conform to the holders and be'retainedby the vacuum acting onthe holders, and means for banding the ci are after theyhave been placedin 0 the ho ders against the bands.

17. In a cigar banding machine, the com- 'bination with a cigar holderwhich is subject to vacuum for holdin a cigar band therein, of means forpositively pressing or forcing the band into the holder so that it, willbe arranged for the vacuum to retain it therein, means for conditioningthe 'band so that it will adhere to the cigar, said means acting justafter the forcing of the band into the holder, and means for .bandingthe cigar after ithas been placed in the holder and against the band.

18. In a cigar banding machine, the combination with a movable cigarcarrier having a plurality ofholders for the bands and cigars andprovided with vacuum means for, retaining the bands in the holders, ofmeans for forcing or. pressing the bands into and substantiallyconforming to the holders when the latter are in a-predeterminedposition of the step by step movement of the carrier, means for holdingor clamping one end of. the band while it is being thus pressed orforced into the holder, means for conditioning the! band so that it willadhereto the cigar, said means act ing when the band is in the holderand prior to the entry of the cigar therein, and means for banding thecigar at another position of the holder in the step by step has beenplaced the band. i 1 I p 19. In a cigar banding machine, the combinationwith a movable cigar carrier having a plurality of holders for the bandsand cigars and provided with vacuum means for retaining the bands in theholders, of means for forcing or pressing the hands into andsubstantially conforming to the holders when the latter are in apredetermined position of the step by step movement of the carrier,means for holding or in'the holder and against being thus pressed orforced into the holder, means for conditioning the band sothat it willadhere to the cigar, said means acting the entr of the cigar therein,means for automatically feeding a cigar to the holder and pressing itinto said holder against said band, and means for bandingthe cigar afterit hastbeen thus fed and pressed into theholder. 1

20. In a cigar banding machine, the combination with a cigar carrierwhich is adapted to advance step by step and is provided with aplurality of holders for the bands and cigars and has vacuum meansacting on said holders .to retain the bands therein, of a band hopper,means for taking off the bands from said hopper, one at a time, anddisposing them across the holder, means for positively forcing orpressing the band into the holder to cause it to substantially conformto the latter, said vacuum means retaining the 'band in the holder, andmeans for folding the band around the cigar after the latter has beenforced in the holder.

21. In a cigar-banding machine, the comblnation with a cigar carrierwhich is adapted to advance step by step and is pro- 7 vided with aplurality of holders for the bands and cigars'and has vacuum meansacting on said holders to retain the bands therein, of a band hopper,means for taking off the bands from said hopper, one at a movement ofthe carrier, after the cigar.

clamping one end of the band while it is when the band is in the holderand prior to the band so that the intermediate part of the band may beforced into the holder, means for positively forcing or pressing theband into the holder, said vacuum means retainin the band in the holder,and means for folding the band around the cigar after the latter hasbeen placed in the holder.

22. In a cigar banding machine, the combination with a cigar carrierwhich is adapted to advance step by step and is provided with aplurality of holders for the bands and cigars and has vacuum meansacting on said holders to retain the bands therein, of a band hopper,means for taking off the bands from said hopper, one at a time, anddisposing them across the holder, means for holding the rear end of theband so that the band may be positively forced into the holder, meansfor positively p ressing or forcing the band into the holder, meansacting when the band has -been pressed into the holder for conditioningthe advance end' of the band so that it will adhere when the cigar issubsequently handed, and means for handing the cigar when the holder isin another position of the step by step movement of the carrier.

23. In a cigar banding machine, the combination with a cigar carrieradapted for a step by step movement and provided with holders for thebands and cigars, of a band hopper, a feeder slide adapted to take offthe bands from the hopper, one at a time, a feed roller adapted to passthe bands, forwardly as they are delivered thereto, by the feeder slide,means for clamping or holdlng one end of the band, means for positivelyforcing or pressing the band into the holder to cause it to assume bentor arched COl'ldliZlOIl, and means for handing the cigar after it isplaced in the holder and against the band.

24. In acigar banding machine, the combination with a carrier which isadapted to move step by step, and is provided with a plurality ofholders for the bands and cigars, of means for positively introducing Ythe bands in bent on arched condition in the holders, an automaticfeeder adapted to direct the cigars to the holders after the band hasbeen placed therein, and a presser adapted to positively press or forcethe cigar into the holder and against the bent or arched band 25. In acigar banding machine, the combination with a. carrier having aplurality of holders for the bands and cigars, of means for placing thebands in the holders, means for placing the cigars in the holders andagainst the bands, and combined followers and holders carried by thecarrier which are adapted to assist in handing the cigar and retainingthe banded cigar in the holder, and means for releasing the saidfollowers to permit the discharge of the banded cigar.

26. In a cigar banding machine, the combination with a cigar carrierhaving a plurality of holders for the bands and cigars,

I of combined followers andholders for the respective cigar holdersaforesaid comprising spring retracted movable members adapted to assistin banding the cigar and to retain the banded cigar on the carrier, saidand. holders being 7 combined followers adapted to operate across thecigar holders of the carrier, means for' actuating said combined holdersand followers, and means for retaining them in holding position afterthe cigar has been handed until the cigar reaches discharging positionon the advance of the carrier.

27.111 a cigar banding machine, the combination with a carrier which isadapted for a step by step movement and is provided with a plurality ofholders for the bands and cigars, of combined ho ders and followerscarried by the carrier, said followers being adapted to assist inbanding the cigar and to thereafter hold the cigar on the carrier until.the latter reaches discharging position, means for placing bands in theholders of the carrier, vacuum means for retaining the placed bands insaid holders, means for conditioning the bands so that they will adherewhen the cigar is banded and cigar banding means comprising a folder andholder adapted to press down one end of the band on the cigar and tohold'it there, and a tucker adapted to thereafter tuck down the saidheld end of the band, said followers being arranged and adapted toadvance across the cigar holders of the carrier-after the end of theband has been tucked and to fold down the other end of the bandas fastas the tucker retreats and then to remain across the cigar holder andserve as retainers to keep the banded cigars on the carrier until theyreach discharging position, and

means for placing cigars in the holders and against the unfolded bandsrior to the action of the banding means a oresaid.

28. In a cigar banding machine, bandin mechanism comprising a pair ofcouple relatively jrnovable arms, means for swinging said arms, a springconnection between the arms adapting them to move as a unit until theloose one of said arms is arrested,

means for arresting the loose one of said arms, a pivoted folder andholder carried by the loose one of said arms, and a pivoted tuckercarried by the other arm and ada ted to move in relation to the folderand ho der.

29.'In a cigar banding machine, means for handing a cigar comprising tworelatively movable coupled supports, a spring connection between" thesupports whereby ey y ove as a un -until t lo ne of them is arrested,means for moving said supports to and fro to position them for handing,or in normal position, a folder and holder'movably connected to theloose one of said supports, and a spring actuated tucker movablyconnected to the remaining support and engaged with the folder andholder, said tucker being adapted to hold the folderdown on the band andto move in relation to said holder, onthe continuance of the' movementafter the arrest of the loose one of the supports, to thereby tuck downthe held end of the band;

.30; In a cigar banding machine, banding mechanism comprising tworelatively movable coupled supports, a spring connection between thesupports whereby they may move as a unit until the loose one of them isarrested, means for moving said supports to and fro to position them forhanding, or in normal position, a folder and holder carried by the looseone of said supports, and a tucker carried by the remaining support,said tucker being adapted, on the continuance of its movement after thearrest of the folder and holder, to tuck down the held end of the band,

31. In a cigar banding machine, banding mechanism comprising a pair ofcoupled, relatively movable arms, means for swinging said arms, a springconnection between the arms adapting them to move as a unit until theloose one of said arms is arrested, means for arresting the loose one ofsaid arms, a folder and holder carried by the loose one of said arms,and a tucker carried by the other arm and adapted to move in relation tothe folder and holder.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my ISAAC A. HARDY.

- signature.

